GPS wants a place in Federal Govt to influence MA63 negotiations, says analyst
PETALING JAYA: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) prefers to work with an Anwar Ibrahim-led federal government, with continued progress on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) strengthening the case for cooperation, said political analyst James Chin.
Chin, who is also a University of Tasmania Asian Studies professor, said GPS and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) prioritises being part of the federal government to ensure their states remain involved in key decisions and continue to benefit from federal resources.
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“GPS, like GRS in Sabah, always believes that the only way to get maximum resources is to sit at the main table. This is not about ideology. It is about practicality,” he noted.
He emphasised that both coalitions would be prepared to work with whichever alliance forms the next federal government, including one led by Umno and PAS.
“If Umno and PAS, the so-called Malay tsunami, get into power, then there is no doubt that GPS and GRS would join as well.”
However, Chin highlighted that GPS and GRS would prefer a Pakatan Harapan-led administration, with GPS continuing to work with the federal government on matters affecting Sarawak’s interests.
He said the reconstitution of the committee overseeing MA63 negotiations after the next general election would make participation in the federal government important for GPS.
“There is no point in staying out of government if you are not part of the committee. You cannot decide on the outcome of the MA63 talks.”
Chin said while GPS has not secured everything it wants, Anwar’s public commitment to MA63 has helped sustain confidence in the working relationship between the federal government and Sarawak.
“The good thing about Anwar is that he has never rejected anything in public.”
He said Anwar has turned down some requests in private but consistently maintained his public commitment to respecting MA63.
In his Budget 2027 speech on Oct 10, Anwar said the federal government has raised the interim special grant for Sabah and Sarawak three times, most recently to RM1.5 billion for each state, to be paid before the end of the year, while negotiations continue on a permanent annual formula.
He also said 12 MA63 matters have been resolved under his administration, including the handover of Bintulu Port to Sarawak and the transfer of MASwings to the state, now operating as AirBorneo.
Sarawak will receive RM16.2 billion in federal allocations next year, up from RM15.1 billion this year.
Chin emphasised that a strong GPS showing in the state election should not be viewed simply as a rejection of peninsula-based parties, but also as support for Sarawak’s own political priorities and approach to governance.
“It is not so much rejecting the peninsula. It is rejecting the sort of toxic politics that you see in Peninsular Malaysia.”
He added that Sarawak has long favoured a more inclusive, multiracial approach, reflected in GPS’s Sarawak First policy, which prioritises the state’s interests and communities.
Chin said Sarawak has been the most progressive state in recognising the Unified Examination Certificate and awarding state scholarships to students studying at universities in Sarawak without regard for ethnicity.
He stressed that Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg has not played the racial card.
He said the Sarawak First message also includes the state’s non-Muslim communities.
GPS was formed on June 12, 2018, when its four component parties left Barisan Nasional following the coalition’s defeat in the general election.
It joined the federal government under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in 2020 and remained in government under Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob before joining Anwar’s unity government in 2022.
Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said last week the state assembly could be dissolved in November, either after the state Budget 2027 is passed or two weeks later.
The assembly’s term expires in February 2027.